JP2003216750A - Information providing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information providing system for appropriately managing information among three parties that are a maker for manufacturing an input-output device such as a computer and a printer, a proprietor for leasing the input-output device and a user. <P>SOLUTION: The information providing system 1 manages and provides information exchanged through networks NW1 and NW2 among the manufacturing and selling maker of the input-output devices, the proprietor who purchases the input-output device from the maker and operates an input-output device leasing shop, and the user who borrows the input-output device from the input- output device leasing shop for use. In such a case, the maker registers in its server SV for management device information on the purchased input-output device, inputted by the proprietor with his/her own computer PCa, a shop location about the input-output device leasing shop, proprietor information such as use charge, and user information inputted from personal computers PC1 to PCn or a portable terminal KT when the user acquires information, and allows each of these information to be inputted and utilized for free charge. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information providing system, and more specifically, to a manufacturer that manufactures and sells input / output devices such as computers, printers and scanners, and a manager and a user who lend out the input / output devices. The present invention relates to an information providing system that appropriately manages information exchanged between persons.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been a call for information, and there is a demand for sharing various types of information. In particular, with the progress of the Internet, so-called hourly pay satellite offices such as Internet cafes are increasing. For users who use such satellite offices, where is the satellite office closest to their current position? It is required that information such as whether or not it can be easily obtained.

Conventionally, regarding the use of information, as represented by "Customer Support Support Method and System" described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-292896, information between an operator and a user of a customer support center is used. Assistive technologies have been proposed.

In addition, as in "guidance and guidance method and apparatus" described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-111893,
Arbitrary, such as "travel related information providing device" described in Japanese Patent No. 03043376 or a technique for guiding and guiding a time schedule or operation preset for the system user according to the situation of the system user. Conventionally, a technology for providing facility information to the system users of the above has been proposed.

And, these conventional information providing techniques are
The mainstream technology is a system for providing information between persons.

[0006] Further, in the conventional business form, for example, on an Internet site where information guides for accommodation facilities are posted, it is common to collect advertisement fees from the managers of accommodation facilities.

[0007]

As described above, in the conventional information providing system, the technology about the information providing system between two parties is mainstream, and as represented by the information guide site of the accommodation facility, The operator of the information providing site collects the advertisement fee from the information supplier, for example, the owner of the accommodation facility.

[0008] However, today, business forms are also diversified, and users such as satellite offices purchase input / output devices such as computers, printers and scanners from manufacturers and use the input / output devices. The business etc. provided to

In such a diversification of business forms, not only the information providing system between two parties but also the information providing system between multiple parties is required in the information providing system.

Further, if the information provision is charged, the provision and use of the information will be stagnant, and it is necessary to reconstruct the information provision system in order to promote the provision and use of the information.

Therefore, the invention according to claim 1 relates to a maker that manufactures and sells input / output devices, a manager who purchases the input / output devices from the maker and manages a pay satellite office, and When managing and providing the information exchanged via the network with the users who borrow and use the input / output devices in the satellite offices they manage, the manufacturer manages and provides the information to the server owned by the manufacturer. The device information about the purchased input / output device input from the terminal device, the management information such as the office position of the satellite office managed by the manager, which is input from the terminal device by the manager concerned, the opening time, the usage fee, etc., and the user is the satellite. Registers and manages user information that is input from a prescribed terminal device when acquiring information about the office, and manages device information by the manager. Allowing free entry of management information will increase the motivation of the management to provide information, reduce the cost of collecting information to the management, and collect more information for free to improve the usability. It is intended to provide an information providing system that can be improved.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the manufacturer provides the acquired information free of charge in response to the request from the user's terminal device, thereby promoting the user's willingness to acquire information about the manager. At the same time, we will increase the effectiveness of management's advertising to users, collect and provide more information for free, and encourage more users to participate.
The purpose is to provide an information providing system with better usability.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the manufacturer provides the user who has requested the information provision with the information about the satellite office of the manager who is the closest to the current position of the user. Among the satellite offices managed by the owner, by providing the information of the nearest satellite office that is easy for the user to use, the information needed by the user can be collected efficiently, and the availability is further improved. The purpose is to provide an information providing system.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the maker provides management information in response to a request from the user's terminal device, so that, for example, before arriving at the satellite office used by the user, For the purpose of providing an information providing system with even better usability by making it possible to acquire management information, provide free and appropriate judgment materials when judging the satellite office used by the user. There is.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the maker provides the device information of the manager in response to the request from the user's terminal device, for example, before arriving at the satellite office used by the user. In addition, by making it possible to obtain management information, we will provide free and appropriate device information as a judgment material when judging the satellite office that the user will use, while improving the quality of information even further. The purpose is to provide an information providing system with good usability.

[0016]

An information providing system according to the invention of claim 1 manages a maker which manufactures and sells an input / output device, and a satellite office which pays for the input / output device from the maker. An information providing system for managing and providing information exchanged via a network between a manager and a user who borrows and uses the input / output device in a satellite office managed by the manager, The maker registers and manages device information about the purchased input / output device input by the manager from his / her own terminal device, and a device information management means for managing the device information, which is input by the manager from the own terminal device. Management information management means for registering and managing management information such as office location, opening time, usage fee, etc. regarding the satellite office to be managed,
A device having user information management means for registering and managing user information input from a predetermined terminal device when the user acquires information about the satellite office; and the device information by the manager. By allowing the input of the management information for free, the above-mentioned purpose is achieved.

According to the above configuration, a maker that manufactures and sells input / output devices, a manager who purchases the input / output devices from the maker and manages a pay satellite office, and a satellite office managed by the manager. When managing and providing information exchanged via a network with a user who borrows and uses an input / output device, the maker inputs the server to the owner from the terminal device of the manager. Device information about the purchased input / output devices, the office position of the satellite office managed by the owner, which is input from the owner's terminal device, the opening hours,
Registers and manages management information such as usage fees and user information that the user inputs from a prescribed terminal device when acquiring information about satellite offices, and the management operator can input device information and management information free of charge. Since it is allowed in, it is possible to improve the motivation of the information provider of the management, reduce the cost of collecting information to the management, and collect more information for free, improving the usability Can be made.

In this case, for example, as described in claim 2, in the information providing system, the maker provides the acquired information free of charge in response to a request from the terminal device of the user. It may be one.

According to the above configuration, the maker provides the acquired information free of charge in response to the request from the user's terminal device, so that the user's willingness to acquire information about the manager can be promoted. At the same time, it is possible to increase the advertising effect of the management to users, collect and provide more information for free, and encourage more users to participate, further improving usability. You can

Further, for example, as described in claim 3, in the information providing system, the maker is closest to the present position of the user who has requested the information provision. It may also provide information about the management's satellite office.

According to the above configuration, the maker provides the user who has requested the information provision with the information about the satellite office of the manager who is the closest to the current position of the user. By providing information on the nearest satellite office that is easy for users to use among the satellite offices it manages, it is possible to efficiently collect the information that users need, further improving usability. Can be made.

Further, for example, as described in claim 4, in the information providing system, the maker provides the manager information in response to a request from the terminal device of the user. May be.

According to the above configuration, the maker provides the management information in response to the request from the user's terminal device. Therefore, for example, the management information is provided before arriving at the satellite office used by the user. By making it possible to obtain the information, it is possible to provide the judgment material when the user determines the satellite office to be used, free of charge and appropriately, and it is possible to further improve the usability.

Further, for example, as described in claim 5, in the information providing system, the maker provides equipment information of the manager in response to a request from the terminal device of the user. May be

According to the above configuration, the maker provides the device information of the manager in response to the request from the user's terminal device. Therefore, for example, before the arrival at the satellite office used by the user, management is performed. It is possible to provide free and appropriate device information as a judgment material when judging the satellite office that the user uses by making it possible to acquire the device information of the user and improve the quality of the information. Therefore, the usability can be further improved.

[0026]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention, and therefore have various technically preferable limitations. However, the scope of the present invention refers to the present invention particularly in the following description. Unless otherwise stated, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

1 to 3 are views showing an information providing system 1 to which an embodiment of the information providing system of the present invention is applied. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the information providing system of the present invention. It is a system configuration diagram of an applied information providing system 1.

In FIG. 1, in the information providing system 1, a maker environment 2, a user environment 3 and a manager environment 4 are connected by wired or wireless networks NW1 and NW2, and the networks NW1 and NW2 are dedicated. Connected by line, public line or wireless line.

A server SV connected to the network NW1 is installed in the maker environment 2, and various information such as manager information, user information, and input / output device information is stored in the server SV.

The user environment 3 includes a plurality of personal computers PC1 to PCn as terminal devices and a plurality of portable terminals (portable telephone device, PHS (Personal Handy Phone S).
ystem) etc.) KT is installed, and the user can access the server SV of the manufacturer environment 2 to browse the manager information and the device information.

In the manager's environment 4, a personal computer PCa as a terminal device is installed, which is a manager's environment such as a satellite office renting out input / output devices. The manager purchases a personal computer, a printer device, and a scanner input / output device from the manufacturer of the manufacturer environment 2, and provides the use of the input / output device by the user of the user environment 3.

Then, the server SV of the maker environment 2 mentioned above,
Personal computer PC1 to PCn of user environment 3
The portable terminal KT and the personal computer PCa of the manager's environment 4 are connected by wire or wirelessly via the networks NW1 and NW2.

In this information providing system 1, the manager is
Purchase an input / output device from the manufacturer, and from the personal computer PCa of the manager environment 4 to the server SV of the manufacturer environment 2.
On the other hand, the attribute of the manager and the information of the purchased input / output device can be registered free of charge.

Further, in this information providing system 1, the maker of the input / output device can disclose the information of the manager registered in the server SV to a plurality of users free of charge.

Further, in the information providing system 1, the user can access the server SV by using the personal computers PC1 to PCn and the portable terminal KT and browse the information of the manager free of charge.

The above information providing system 1 can be represented by a control module as shown in FIG. 2, and a user information module 20 for controlling user information and a manager information module for controlling manager information. 30, a device information module 40 that manages device information, and a lending store guidance module 50 that controls association between user information and manager information. Each module 20, 30, 40, 50 is under the module name. Manage the data listed in.

Then, each module 20, 30, 40,
There are the following relationships among the 50.

That is, the user information module 20 and the manager information module 30 have a many-to-many relationship. That is, there are multiple managers who can provide purchase information to a certain one user, and multiple users who can obtain purchase information to a certain one manager. Therefore, the user information module 20 and the manager information 30 are in a many-to-many relationship (0 or more and 0 or more). Then, the lending store guidance module 50 associates the information of the store of the manager who is the closest to the current position of one user.

The manager information module 30 and the device information module 40 have a one-to-one relationship. That is, since one manager has only one piece of device information, the manager information module 30 and the device information module 4
0 has a one-to-one relationship.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The information providing system 1 according to the present embodiment improves the profits of the three persons by enabling free entry and browsing of information of the three persons, the manager, the maker, and the user.

Now, the user uses the information providing system 1 to inquire about the nearest I / O device rental store among the I / O device rental stores managed by the manager, and provides information according to the inquiry. Hereinafter, description will be given based on FIG.

In FIG. 3, the unhatched squares represent the actual purchaser (manager) Pa and the user Pb, and the hatched squares represent the user information. The module 20, the manager information module 30, the device information module 40, and the lending store guidance module 50 are shown.

First, as shown in FIG. 3, the information providing system 1 performs a manager information input process. That is, the manager Pa, who is the purchaser of the input / output device, uses the personal computer PCa owned by himself to use the server SV.
For the manager information module 30 in the
Enter management information such as telephone number, regular holiday, opening time, closing time, usage fee, number of seats in the store, etc. free of charge. Server S
When the manager information is input from the manager Pa, the V assigns a manager ID to the manager Pa.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the information providing system 1 performs a device information input process. That is, the manager Pa owns his own personal computer PC
a using the device information module 40 in the server SV
In response, enter the device name list of the purchased I / O devices, device information such as the number of devices, for free.

Next, as shown by in FIG. 3, the information providing system 1 performs manager information registration processing. That is, the manager ID of the manager Pa of the manager Pa registered and input by the manager information module 30 of the server SV in the manager information input processing of the rental store guide module 50 in the server SV.
To register.

Next, as shown by in FIG. 3, the information providing system 1 performs inquiry processing. That is, the user Pb uses his / her own terminal device (personal computer PC1 to PCn or portable terminal KT) to
The user information module 20 in the server SV is inquired about the nearest I / O device rental shop (managed by the manager) for free. At this time, the user information module 2 of the server SV
0 acquires and stores the current position from the terminal device owned by the user Pb who has made the inquiry, and
A user ID is assigned to the user Pb.

Next, as shown by in FIG. 3, the information providing system 1 performs an inquiry process. That is, the user information module 20 causes the lending store guidance module 50 to display the user I
Notify D and request collation of the nearest I / O device rental store near the user Pb.

Next, as shown by in FIG. 3, the information providing system 1 performs a collation result notification process. That is, the lending store guidance module 50 of the information providing system 1 collates the manager information and the user information acquired in the manager information registration process of 1 based on the ID, and is closest to the user Pb who made the inquiry. Pick up the manager Pa located in the place,
The user information module 20 is notified of the management information of the input / output device rental shop of the management Pa as the matching result.

Next, as shown by in FIG. 3, the information providing system 1 performs inquiry information providing processing. That is,
The user information module 20 of the information providing system 1
The information obtained by the verification result notification process of (1) is provided to the user Pb free of charge of the input / output device rental store of the owner Pa, which is the owner information of the owner Pa.

Although not shown, the manager Pa can access the server SV and view the user information of the user Pb managed by the user module 20 free of charge.

As described above, the information providing system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a maker that manufactures and sells input / output devices, and a chargeable input / output device rental store (satellite office) that purchases the input / output devices from the maker. ) Who manages Pa
When managing and providing the information exchanged via the networks NW1 and NW2 between the user Pb and the user Pb who borrows and uses the input / output device at the input / output device lending store managed by the manager Pa, The maker inputs to the server SV owned by the maker Pa, the device information about the input / output device that the manager Pa has input from the computer PCa that is his terminal device, and the computer information that the manager Pa has from his computer PCa. Personal computer PC1 which is a predetermined terminal device when the user Pb acquires the information about the store position, the opening time, the usage fee, etc. regarding the I / O device rental store managed by the user and the information about the I / O device rental store. Register and manage user information input from PCn or mobile terminal KT, and enter device information and management information by management Pa. They are allowed in free.

Therefore, it is possible to improve the willingness of the manager Pa to provide information, and it is possible to reduce the cost of collecting information for the manager Pa, and to collect more information free of charge and improve the usability. Can be improved.

Further, the information providing system 1 of the present embodiment
Is the personal computer P of the user Pb
In response to a request from C1 to PCn or the mobile terminal KT,
The acquired information is provided free of charge.

Therefore, the user Pb's willingness to acquire information on the manager Pa can be promoted, and the advertising effect of the manager Pa on the user Pb can be increased to collect and provide more information. It is possible to improve the usability by encouraging as many users as possible to do the work for free.

Further, in the information providing system 1 of the present embodiment, the user P who has requested the information provision by the manufacturer
For b, the information about the input / output device rental store of the manager Pa closest to the current position of the user Pb is provided.

Therefore, among the I / O device rental stores managed by the manager Pa, the information of the nearest I / O device rental store that the user Pb can easily use is provided to collect the information required by the user Pb. The efficiency can be improved, and the usability can be further improved.

Further, the information providing system 1 of the present embodiment
Is the personal computer P of the user Pb
In response to a request from C1 to PCn or the mobile terminal KT,
Provides management information.

Therefore, for example, when deciding the I / O device rental store used by the user Pb, the management information can be acquired before the user arrives at the I / O device rental store used by the user Pb. The judgment material can be provided appropriately and free of charge, and the usability can be further improved.

Further, in the information providing system 1 of the present embodiment, the maker provides the equipment information of the manager Pa in response to a request from the personal computers PC1 to PCn of the user Pb or the portable terminal KT. .

Therefore, for example, the judgment when determining the input / output device rental store used by the user Pb by enabling the device information to be acquired before arriving at the input / output device rental store used by the user Pb. The device information as a material can be provided free of charge and appropriately, the quality of the information can be improved, and the usability can be further improved.

Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It goes without saying that it is possible.

[0062]

According to the information providing system of the first aspect of the present invention, a maker that manufactures and sells input / output devices, and a manager who purchases the input / output devices from the maker and manages a paid satellite office. When managing and providing information exchanged via a network between a user and a user who borrows and uses an input / output device in a satellite office managed by the manager, the manufacturer uses a server owned by the manufacturer. , The device information about the input / output device purchased by the manager from his / her own terminal device, the position of the satellite office operated by the manager, which is related to the satellite office managed by the manager, the opening time, the management fee, etc. Information and user information input from a prescribed terminal device when a user acquires information about a satellite office are registered, managed, and managed. Since it allows free entry of device information and management information by the manager, it can increase the motivation of the manager to provide information and reduce the cost of collecting information for the manager, and more information can be acquired. Can be collected for free to improve usability.

According to the information providing system of the second aspect of the present invention, the maker provides the acquired information free of charge in response to the request from the user's terminal device. It is possible to promote the willingness to acquire, increase the advertising effect of the management to users, collect and provide more information for free, and encourage more users to participate, The usability can be further improved.

According to the information providing system of the third aspect of the present invention, the manufacturer provides the information regarding the satellite office of the manager who is the closest to the current position of the user who has requested the information provision. By providing the information of the nearest satellite office that is easy for users to use among the satellite offices managed by the management, it is possible to efficiently collect the information needed by users. Therefore, the usability can be further improved.

According to the information providing system of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the maker provides the manager information in response to the request from the user's terminal device. Therefore, for example, in the satellite office used by the user. By making it possible to obtain management information before arrival, it is possible to provide free and appropriate judgment materials when deciding which satellite office a user will use, further improving usability. it can.

According to the information providing system of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the manufacturer provides the device information of the manager in response to the request from the terminal device of the user. Therefore, for example, the satellite used by the user. Before arriving at the office, it is possible to acquire the device information of the management, and it is possible to provide the device information free and appropriately as the judgment material when judging the satellite office that the user uses, The quality of information can be improved and the usability can be further improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an information providing system to which an embodiment of the information providing system of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a control module of the information providing system of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of information providing processing by the information providing system of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Information provision system 2 Manufacturer environment 3 user environment 4 Management environment NW1 and NW2 networks SV server PC1 to PCn Personal computer KT mobile terminal PCa Personal computer 20 User information module 30 Management Information Module 40 Device information module 50 Rental Information Module Pa management Pb user

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A manufacturer that manufactures and sells input / output equipment, a manager who purchases the input / output equipment from the manufacturer and manages a pay satellite office, and the satellite office managed by the manager. An information providing system for managing and providing information exchanged via a network with a user who rents and uses a device, wherein the manufacturer inputs the information from the terminal device of the manager by the manager. Device information management means for registering and managing device information related to purchased I / O devices, and management of office positions, opening hours, usage fees, etc., relating to the satellite office managed by the manager, input from the terminal device Manager information management means for registering and managing personal information, and a predetermined terminal device when the user acquires information on the satellite office. Information including a server having user information management means for registering and managing user information to be input from, and allowing free entry of the device information and the manager information by the manager Offer system. 2. The information providing system comprises:
The acquired information is provided free of charge in response to a request from the terminal device of the user.
Information provision system described. 3. The information providing system comprises:
3. The information providing system according to claim 2, wherein the user who has made the request for providing information is provided with information regarding a satellite office of the manager who is closest to the current position of the user. 4. The information providing system comprises:
The information providing system according to claim 2, wherein the management information is provided in response to a request from the terminal device of the user. 5. The information providing system comprises:
3. The information providing system according to claim 2, wherein device information of the manager is provided in response to a request from the terminal device of the user.